BEIRUT

Modern Capital, Venerable Past

Cosmopolitan Beirut, with its million plus inhabitants, conveys a sense of life and an energy that is immediately apparent. This dynasism is echoed by the capital's geographical position -- a great promontory jutting into the blue sea with dramatic mountains rising behind it. An ancient city with a venerable past, 5,000 years ago Beirut was a prospering town on the Canaanite coast and 3,000 years ago it was entering the Phoenician age. The city's favorable weather, good business climate and seductive lifestyle has always attracted travellers. But whether you visit on business or vacation, the hospitality towards new faces, new ideas and new experiences, will ensure a stay that is informative as well as fun.

Beirut survived a decade and a half of conflict and so has earned the right to call itself, "The City That Would Not Die". As if to demonstrate this resiliency the Lebanese have launched a great rush of building activity including the public service infrastructure. In the ruined city center, a huge reconstruction project is underway to creat a new commercial and residential district for the 21st century. Commerce is second nature to Beirutis, who long ago discovered that their port city on the East-West crossroads was ideally placed for trading and business of all kinds. A banking center with free currency exchange, the chief employment here is in trade, banking, construction, import-export and service industries.

The Lebanese capital enjoys a vigorous press that publishes scores of newspapers and magazines in Arabic, Franch, English and Armenian. Five universities help keep ideas and innovations fowing. The flourishing art scene, including theater, film making, music and plastic arts adds to the sense that this is indeed a city on the move. Its many advantages also make Beirut a natural venue for international, regional or local conferences and conventions. Beirut's port, the largest in eastern Mediterranean, is equipped to handle tens of freight and passenger vessels. With its favorable situation and well engineered breakwaters, Beirut's port is protected from winds and undertows. Further updating of its busy facilities will be made as part of Lebanon's general reconstruction plan.